The Armoire

The Armoire Ch.09 – Nicolette

by Sam Darquesied

 

“I need to speak with Thomas Dareson,” she said, “or, should I say, Sam Darquesied.”

 

It had taken Tommy a few seconds to get ever his apprehension of seeing the police car in the gate monitor. He finally pushed the intercom button as Alyssa dashed upstairs to get some clothes on, but even then, it took him a minute to ask the police woman if he could help her.

 

“May I ask what this is about?” said Tommy.

 

She said, “My name is Corporal Lindsey Stapleton, of the Provincial Police, Novamercado division; and it is important that I speak to you.”

 

Just then, there was a knock on the door and Kendall walked in, “It’s okay, Sammy, It’s Lindsey. With all that was going on this morning, I forgot to tell you she was coming.”

 

“Your friend Lindsey? You never mentioned that she was a cop!?” he said.

 

Still a little concerned he pushed the intercom at the same time as the gate lock and said, “Okay, just drive straight up to the house.”

 

Kendall went out to meet her as Alyssa came back downstairs, wearing a black and white, floral print dress. As they started out the door he noticed that Alyssa had forgotten to remove the collar. He quickly undid the buckle, shoved the collar in his pocket, and went outside.

 

Corporal Stapleton was standing by her cruiser and talking with Kendall as Tommy approached. She was quite attractive, with long, dark hair done up in a French braid. Even though the uniform was not particularly flattering, it was clear the she was well built; muscular, but not muscle bound. She greeted Tommy with a firm handshake and a sincere smile.

 

“I’m sorry to surprise you like this; Kendall was supposed to let you know I was coming,” she said.

 

Kendall just shrugged her shoulders and Tommy said, “Yes, well Kendall seems to be holding back all kinds of information…like the fact that her best friend Lindsey is a police officer!”

 

Corporal Stapleton said, “Do you have a problem with that?”

 

Tommy said, “You tell me.”

 

“I assure you that I am not here to cause you any grief,” she said, “I’ve come to ask for your help.”

 

“My help…?” he said, “Okay…how be we go in the house and talk over coffee.”

 

Kendall apologized again and went to tend the horses, while the others went into the house. The police woman and Tommy sat at the small kitchen table as Alyssa got coffee for all, and then joined them.

 

Tommy said, “Well, Corporal Stapleton, how can we help you?”

 

“Please, call me Lindsey,” she said, “I only use ‘Corporal Stapleton’ for official business.”

 

He said, “Okay, Lindsey, how can we help you?”

 

She said, “First of all, I should tell you…I know what goes on here. Kendall and I have been best friends since before high school and we tell each other pretty much everything.”

 

“Should I be worried?” he said.

 

“Not at all,” she said, “I don’t see anything illegal here; in fact, near as I can tell, everybody who comes and goes here, appears to be pretty…happy.

 

“As I said, I’m here to ask your help…You may have seen in the news that two young women have been killed around here over the past four months.”

 

Tommy said, “I read about one, a couple of weeks ago. They found her body just south of Carillon.”

 

“Yes, that’s one of them,” said Lindsey, “and another was found about three months before that, around two miles from there.”

 

Tommy suddenly said, “Oh wait! You think I had something to do with that!?”

 

“No, NO!” she said, “You are not a suspect, I assure you…please, let me finish.”

 

He relaxed a bit and Lindsey continued, “There are several police forces working on this, round the clock. Last week, a forensic pathologist came up with something that has pointed us to, what we feel, is a good lead.

 

“At first, we thought the girls had simply been beaten to death, but the autopsies showed evidence of torture…whipping and more.”

 

Skeptically, Tommy said, “Oh…so, naturally you thought of me!”

 

Lindsey, speaking with authority, said, “Please, Mr. Dareson, let me finish!

 

“Now…the post mortems showed that there were some injuries that had healed somewhat. They also showed that some were less severe than others, indicating, we think, that the torture may have started relatively light then progressed over the next few days.”

 

Tommy said, “So, you think the girls were tortured to death?”

 

“At first, but the autopsies showed that both girls died from dehydration and malnutrition…they starved to death.”

 

He said, “How long would that take?”

 

“They must have been given some water, but not a lot; probably just enough to keep them alive…barely. We estimate they lasted about a week; maybe a bit longer.” she answered.

 

Alyssa broke in, “I still don’t see how we can help.”

 

Lindsey continued, “Well…long story short; our investigation has led us to believe that the killer is trolling for victims by using personal ads in local papers and the Internet. We have psychologists, profilers, and several other investigators who are experts in this sort of thing; and they have come up with about sixty personal ads; one of which may have been placed by the killer.

 

“What I was hoping, was that you might come to the station and have a look at the ads, and possibly narrow it down a bit.”

 

“I’d really like to help,” he said, “but what makes you think I can do better than your psychologists?”

 

She said, “It’s a shot in the dark, Mr. Dareson, but what has us very concerned is that the ads are mostly current. This bastard may be hunting for a new victim—”

 

Just then, the phone rang, and Alyssa excused herself and went to the office to answer the call.

 

Tommy said, “Call me Sam please.”

 

“Oh…okay,” she said, “Kendall explained the name thing, but I still find it kind of strange.”

 

Alyssa returned, “I’m sorry to interrupt, but it’s Sadie’s lawyer, from Chicago…He said it was important.”

 

Tommy said, “Okay, I should take this…can you excuse me for a minute?”

 

He headed for the office while Alyssa topped off the coffees and took her seat. Sensing that Lindsey was curious, she said, “Sadie’s a client; she’s elderly and apparently she’s not well.”

 

Lindsey said, “Elderly? You have elderly clients here? How old is she?”

 

Alyssa said, “Sadie is seventy four, I think. She’s special…it’s a long story.”

 

Tommy returned, and, with tears in his eyes, said, “Sadie passed away late last night.”

 

“Aww…no…” said Alyssa as she too began to cry. She got up and hugged him for a couple of minutes while Lindsey just sat quietly watching.

 

As they returned to their seats, Lindsey said, “I’m sorry for your loss. She must have been very close.”

 

“She was very special,” said Tommy, “The lawyer said something odd though; he asked if I would inform Nicolette. She was supposed to be coming here soon but…damn, I was so flustered I should have asked him what he meant…I’m sorry, but you’ll have to excuse me again. I have to call them back.”

 

He went back to the office and Lindsey asked, “Who’s Nicolette?”

 

Alyssa said, “She’s Sadie’s granddaughter. Apparently she gets into trouble…she’s kind of a ‘Paris Hilton’, you know, rich, spoiled; parents never around. Sam met with Sadie a couple of days ago—”

 

“Okay,” said Tommy, returning from the office, “I’ll help you in any way I can, but could you do something for me? According to the lawyer, Nicolette left Chicago just after me; and he says she was coming here. Can you check to see if she arrived okay? She should have come in the night before last.”

 

Lindsey said, “Okay, I’ll see what I can do…I realize that you’ve just received some bad news, but can you come in with me now?”

 

He said, “Oh…well…yeah, I guess. We’ll follow you in the Yukon.”

 

The women went outside while Tommy went upstairs for his wallet. When he came out, he could see Alyssa was curiously asking the police woman about her cruiser. She started to follow him to the garage, but she seemed a little reluctant. Laughing out loud, he said, “You want to go for a ride in the cop car, don’t you?

 

“Would you mind? I’ve always wanted to…since I was a kid!”

 

“Go ahead,” he said, “It’s only a fifteen minute ride, but…don’t ask her to put the cuffs on!”

 

Mocking disappointment, she said, “Aww…” and ran back to the cruiser.

 

“Can I sit in the front?” she asked.

 

Lindsey said, “Only police personnel are allowed…yeah, go ahead. Next, you’re going to want to drive!”

 

As Alyssa started to speak, the exasperated police woman said, “Just get in!”

 

Like an exited little girl, Alyssa kept turning and waving to Tommy, following in the Yukon. Finally, Lindsey asked her to sit and fasten her seat belt.

 

Tommy laughed out loud when he saw the lights come on and heard the siren; knowing that Alyssa had badgered the poor corporal until she finally gave in. He shook his head and chuckled some more, saying to himself, “She’s a hard girl to say no to!”

 

Lindsey killed the lights as they turned on to the main road, “So, tell me about Sadie. I am having trouble picturing a seventy four year old woman in bondage, and all the other stuff.”

 

Allysa said, “She’s been coming almost since we started…Sadie is…was…a very powerful, and wealthy, woman in Chicago. Her family has been involved in real estate since the city was a clearing in the trees. She has lots of friends and contacts and she heard about us through one of them. She contacted Sammy and arranged to come for a meeting…

 

“You have to understand; Sammy is not judgmental in any way. Sadie and her husband had indulged in some private BD play. They were real close, and when he passed away she was all alone with no desire to start a new relationship, but…she had…needs.

 

“Sammy was so sweet; he built a special chair in which he could restrict her without causing any injury; and he was amazingly gentle with her. She was never naked; she wore this kind of body stocking thing. I helped a couple of times, once she was comfortable with me, and it was something to see her climax.”

 

Lindsey said, “He was ‘gentle’ with her? So…he didn’t whip her or anything?”

 

“Oh yes,” said Alyssa, “he did, but…Sammy is an artist with these things, Lindsey. He has practiced for hours on end to make sure he knows exactly what a whip will do; how it will feel; how hard; how soft. He can hit exactly, to the millimetre, where he wants, and how he wants. With all the different women, it’s a tremendous amount of work for him.”

 

“So, he did whip her?”

 

Alyssa continued, “He had a special pony tail made for her. It was made from fine, human hair, like in a wig. I can’t explain how nice he treated her. They had a very special relationship. Sadie was so happy…she’s said, a number of times, that he saved her life…I don’t think I can make you understand.”

 

“No…actually, I think I do get it,” said Lindsey, as they turned into the police station parking lot.

 

The Yukon pulled in moments later, and, as Tommy locked the truck and approached them, he said, “So, did you enjoy the ride?”

 

Alyssa said, “Oh yes...It was great, and she said I might even get to drive!”

 

“I did not!” protested Lindsey.

 

Tommy laughed and stood near the police woman, “You might as well resign yourself to the fact that, sooner or later, she’s gonna drive that car.”

 

He had long ago resigned himself to the fact that, no matter where they went, Alyssa would draw attention from most people in the room. The bustling police station was no exception. All eyes focused on her as she breezed through the main office, her light cotton dress swaying and hinting that there was little between it and nakedness.

 

There were led to a small room where a young man sat at a computer terminal, focusing on a large, wall mounted monitor screen.

 

Lindsey said, “Sam; Alyssa, this is Constable Benjamin Choi, a computer specialist on loan to us from another detachment. He’ll be helping you go through the ads.”

 

After perfunctory hand shakes, Lindsey asked if they could get started right away. She offered to get coffee, but Alyssa said, “Oh, I’ll get it. Just point the way.”

 

When she returned, she handed out the drinks then said, “Sammy, I don’t think I’m going to be much help here, so I was going to wait somewhere—”

 

“Actually,” he said, “I wonder if just the constable and I could be here. I think a lot of people would be distracting.”

 

Lindsey said, “Oh, okay. Alyssa, why don’t you come with me to my office and I’ll see if I can check that flight.”

 

With that, Tommy and Constable Choi were left alone, and after some chit chat, they got down to business. The constable would display each of the numbered, personal ads on the large screen, one at a time, while Tommy would study it, make some notes, take note of the number, and move on to the next. He was still uneasy; feeling that he wasn’t really qualified for the job, but he was methodical and studied each one with great care.

 

In Corporal Stapleton’s office, she and Alyssa were sipping coffee, “So, before, you were telling me about Nicolette…”

 

Alyssa said, “Oh yeah…when Sam went to see Sadie, he found her in pretty poor health, and she pretty much said that she knew she would never be back here again. It…it must have been a tough conversation for him to have; he really cared about her. Anyway, she told him about Nicolette and how her life was going into a downward spiral. Her parents had essentially given her upbringing over to ‘handlers’ so really Sadie was her only family.”

 

“So, what has all that got to do with Sam?” said Lindsey.

 

“Well, Sadie thinks…oh...she thought…that Nicolette might get something out of a session here. I didn’t get all the details of his talk with her, so I don’t know exactly why she thought that, but Nicolette is, more or less, taking Sadie’s place…at the ranch.”

 

After over an hour, Tommy and Constable Choi had gotten through the entire set of personals. Tommy had him display several ads over again…then again…and again. One in particular kept jumping out at him, “Can you bring up number twenty six one more time? Last time, Benjamin, I promise.”

 

“No problem,” said Constable Choi, and re-displayed the requested ad:

 

“SWD Seek YSWF LUV PN. 2 SLV TRN. SMGTS”

 

Tommy said, “Where’d this ad come from?”

 

“Uh…newspaper…Hazelton Times,” said Benjamin.

 

Tommy said, “Can you tell why this ad got flagged?”

 

“Uh…Just the ‘SLV’ thing.”

 

“I’ll be back in a minute,” said Tommy, and he got up and headed for Corporal Stapleton’s office. He rapped on the door then walked in, and was a little startled to see Alyssa sitting with her hands cuffed behind her.

 

“What the hell?”

 

A somewhat embarrassed Lindsey said, “Hey! Don’t look at me! I just handed them to her and she put them on herself.”

 

As the corporal got up to unlock the cuffs, Alyssa said, “I’ve never had real cuffs on before…I just wanted to try—”

 

“You’re too much!” said a chuckling Tommy, shaking his head.

 

Alyssa said coyly, “Isn’t that better than not enough?”

 

He walked over to her and kissed her, “Way better.”

 

Then he turned to Lindsey and said, “How married are we to the idea that our bad guy is…a guy?”

 

Puzzled, Lindsey said, “Uh…Why? What do you mean?”

 

“Is it possible that the killer could be a woman?” he said.

 

“I…uh…I suppose. Why? Have you got something? She said.

 

“Not sure…maybe,” he said, “Come have a look.”

 

They followed him back to the viewing room where Tommy said, “Remember, I have not said that I was qualified for this, so I could be completely wrong here…but this one keeps popping out at me.”

 

The corporal read the ad out loud, “‘SWD Seek YSWF LUV PN. 2 SLV TRN. SMGTS.’ Okay, what’s so special about this one? ”

 

He said, “Benjamin and I have pretty much deciphered the abbreviations…‘Single White Dom Seek Young Single White Female. Luv Pain. To Slave Train.’…We’re not positive, but the last part could be ‘Start Mild Graduate To Severe.’”

 

Lindsey said, “Okay, the first part seems reasonable, but the SMGTS—”

 

“Yeah, it’s a bit of a stretch,” said Tommy, “but it fits with what your pathologist said.”

 

The corporal picked up the phone, “Dr. McDermott? Could you come into the viewing room please?”

 

Before she could hang up, a short, balding man entered the room, “Yes, what is it, Corporal?”

 

Lindsey said, “Dr. McDermott this is…uh…Sam. I’d like you to hear what he has to say about this ad.”

 

Tommy shook the psychologist’s hand, and then asked Benjamin to put the translated version on the screen along with the original. He gave the doctor a moment to study the ad then said, “For what it’s worth, I see this as being written by a female…

 

“The ambiguity of the ‘SWD’.  Could be ‘Single White Dom’ or ‘Domme’. It does not indicate whether it’s male or female. If I’m doing this I need the responder to know I’m a guy, otherwise I will waste a lot of time with people looking for a woman…and the word ‘Luv’…and the whole thing is very…efficient…frugal. I don’t know; it just feels like it’s done by a woman.”

 

Dr. McDermott said, “Okay…but even if you’re right, why do you think this might be the perpetrator? How sure are you about the last part?”

 

“I’m not sure about any of it. I keep telling everybody that I have no training in this stuff, but they want my opinion so I’m giving it…but…the whole ad…Look, if I’m looking to get myself a submissive young girl, I want to be way less ambiguous. This ad, at best, is only going to attract the very naïve.”

 

The doctor, turning to Lindsey, said, “There is obviously a lot of guesswork being applied here, but …I would have to agree that Sam’s assessment could be a possibility.”

 

The corporal immediately picked up the phone and said to someone on the other end, “Get me someone from the advertising department of the Hazelton Times. I don’t care if you have to arrest somebody; I need to speak to them now!”

 

Tommy said, “Don’t go too nuts, okay? I’m just guessing here.”

 

“It’s better than what we had before now,” said Lindsey, “We’ll check it out and see where it goes…Oh, by the way, Nicolette did arrive at the airport the other night. I checked with that lawyer in Chicago and nobody has heard from her since.”

 

“Damn!” said Tommy, “Where the hell is she?”

 

The phone rang and Lindsey picked up the receiver and said, “Who am I speaking to…? Okay, Mrs. Knowles, I need to check on a personal ad placed in your paper last week. The reference number is ‘0062543879.’ Yes…Who placed it…? Was it a credit card…? Okay, hold on please.”

 

She placed her hand over the mouthpiece and said, “She says it was a boy; around sixteen; paid cash.”

 

“No way it was a teenager,” Tommy said, “Is she sure?”

 

“Mrs. Knowles, how sure are you that it was that teenager…? I see. Hold again please.

 

“She says there were only two people in that afternoon; the kid, and right after, a girl just looking for directions.”

 

Tommy shook his head, “I might be wrong about it being a woman, but there is no way in hell that a kid came up with this ad.”

 

Lindsey spoke into the phone, “Okay, Mrs. Knowles, is there anything else you can remember…? Yes…Very good…yes, that may be very helpful. Thank you…Good bye.

 

“She just told me that she’s pretty sure it was somebody local because later that afternoon somebody--she’s sure it was a woman—called to make a correction…I suppose it would be easy enough, for someone trying to hide their identity, to pay a kid ten bucks to place the ad…Excuse me for one minute.”

 

The corporal then went out and began barking orders, prompting an upsurge in activity among the staff in the office. Tommy spoke to Dr. McDermott for a bit then turned to Alyssa, “I’m really getting concerned about Nicolette. What if she got off the plane and just went and partied or something? Anything could have happened.”

 

Alyssa said, “I’m sure she’s okay. She probably just tied one on and is sleeping it off in a hotel somewhere.”

 

Lindsey returned and said, “Okay…I have to ask another favour—”

 

“First, I need a favour from you,” said Tommy.

 

“If it’s about the girl,” said Lindsey, “I’ve put out a BOLO and I have people checking hotels around the airport. If she’s here, we’ll find her.”

 

“What’s a ‘BOLO?’” asked Tommy.

 

“Be On Look Out.”

 

“Oh…okay, thanks,” said Tommy, “What’s your favour?”

 

“I need you to come with me to Hazelton. We are going to drive around and see if we can find this sicko.”

 

He said, “What…you think there’s going to be a sign?”

 

“In a way,” she said, “Some sort of sign…yes. I know it’s thin, but I’ve got a bad feeling that, as we speak, some naïve girl is in big trouble.”

 

“If you think there’s a chance…let’s go,” said Tommy, and they immediately went out to the corporal’s cruiser.

 

He suggested that Alyssa sit in the front while he slid into the back seat, immediately noticing that the back doors only opened from the outside. Alyssa, looking back through the riot shield, said, “Well, well! It looks like you are our prisoner! What shall we do with him, Corporal?”

 

Chuckling, Lindsey said, “I’m sure we can think of something!”

 

“Trapped and at the mercy of two beautiful women…! Every man’s dream!” he said as he stretched out and made himself comfortable.

 

Hazelton was about a half hour drive and, much to Alyssa’s delight, the corporal used the siren any time there was traffic. About half way into the trip, Lindsey said, “Do you ever worry when he’s got you tied up? You know, maybe he’s a bit stressed and will whip you more than you want?”

 

Alyssa turned to look in the back seat, smiled and said, “Sammy’s not really the type that gets stressed out.”

 

Lindsey glanced in the rear view mirror and smiled herself, seeing him, head against the side window, sound asleep. Even her occasional use of the siren didn’t cause him to stir.

 

“Why do you call him ‘Sammy’?”

 

Alyssa said, “I only call him that when clients are around.”

 

“I’m not a client,” said Lindsey.

 

“True,” said Alyssa, “but we both know…you want to be.”

 

The two women didn’t speak again until the corporal pulled the cruiser into a Tim’s drive though for coffee and sandwiches. While they were stopped, Alyssa hopped into the back, leaned over him, kissed his cheek, and whispered, “Tommy, sweetie, we’re here.”

 

He opened his eyes and smiled at her, groggily saying, “Oh…okay…I might have dozed off there for a bit…So, Lindsey, what’s the plan?”

 

She said, “Well, I know it’s pretty weak, but I’m going to drive around and hope that maybe you can spot something that says ‘this is the place’. To be honest, I don’t even know what you’d need for a…dungeon.”

 

He said, “It would depend…You can buy ready made stuff, but that would leave a paper trail. Heavy timbers, like eight by eights, maybe…I just don’t know if we’ll be able to tell from the outside.”

 

For the next two hours, the corporal slowly drove up and down street after street. Once in a while they would cross paths with other cruisers and ETF teams doing the same. All the houses just looked like houses…until, on a winding little side street, Tommy said, “Oh…wait...wait…stop…! Back up a bit, please…okay…right there…look…the house with the huge white deck!”

 

“We didn’t come here to admire household renovations,” said Lindsey.

 

Tommy said, “No, no…That white vinyl decking…it’s replaced an old deck…look in the backyard.”

 

Lindsey looked at the pile of pressure treated wood in the backyard and said, “Yeah…a pile of old two by fours…so what?”

 

Tommy said, “The new deck has concrete posts…eight of them, but the old deck must have had large, wooden posts…like eight by eights…I don’t see any, do you…? It would be a way to get the timbers without leaving a paper trail…using the old wood…Do you have binoculars?”

 

Lindsey pulled out a pair from beneath her seat and peered out the car window, “There’s a sticker on one of the concrete posts…‘Rafter’s General Contracting.’”

 

She immediately got on the radio, received the contractor’s address and sped to the location, only a couple of blocks away. They all entered the office in the small industrial complex and Lindsey, wasting no time, said, “I need to speak to whoever’s in charge.”

 

A man in his fifties introduced himself as Henry, the owner. He remembered doing the job as it was his first vinyl deck installation and gave the corporal the customer’s name. While she went out to the cruiser to check on the name, Tommy stepped up and asked him about the posts from the old deck.

 

Henry said, “Oh…she had us clean them up and do a little cutting on them. She gave us drawings…we didn’t do any assembly, just the cutting. I have no idea what they were for.”

 

“Do you still have the drawings?” said Tommy.

 

Henry went to a file cabinet and returned with several sheets of paper. Tommy looked at them for a moment then handed one of them back, “Do you have a photocopier…? Do me a favour, make two copies of this; one regular and one mirror image.”

 

He did as requested and handed Tommy the copies just as Lindsey returned, “There’s no priors on ‘Alice Handel’, but she moved up here about six months ago, so—”

 

“I may have something…look at this,” said Tommy as he held the two photocopies, one on top of the other, against the front window.

 

Lindsey looked for a moment then said, “It’s…the letter ‘X.’”

 

“Oh…Jesus!” said Alyssa, “It’s a St. Andrews Cross!”

 

The corporal immediately ran back to the car and began to scream commands into the hand held microphone. Tommy thanked Henry then he, and Alyssa, joined Lindsey at the cruiser. They rushed back to the house, parking just around a little bend in the road, out of sight. Soon the other teams began to converge on their location with Lindsey coordinating their actions.

 

Tommy and Alyssa just stood by, listening to them argue over obtaining a warrant and one of the ETF members suggested they get a microphone on a basement window. There was little cover but an experienced ETF policeman managed to sneak up and affix the remote mike to one of the boarded up basement windows. Everyone then gathered at the back of a police van to listen.

 

At first there was nothing but then…some garbled noises. The ETF man handed the headphones to Lindsey who then passed them to Tommy. His face went ashen as he passed them to Alyssa.

 

Alyssa said, “That’s the sound of someone being whipped with either a single tail or a strap.”

 

Lindsey jumped on her radio and, after some argument, returned and said, “We’ll have a warrant in about fifteen minutes.”

 

Tommy said, “Do you really want to listen to that girl being beaten for the next fifteen minutes?”

 

“We have no choice,” said the corporal, “We can’t go in without a warrant.”

 

“But…we could distract her…”

 

Tommy reached into his pocket, retrieved the collar that Alyssa had worn earlier, and handed it to her, “Here, put this on.”

 

Alyssa donned the collar, and before anybody could stop them, they walked toward the house. Lindsey called them but they just kept walking until they reached the foot of the walkway.

 

“Stay here,” said Tommy, “Just stand here looking like a slave, okay?”

 

She said, “Shouldn’t I go with you? What if she has a gun?”

 

He said, “Oh, that’s supposed to encourage me to bring you up there? Just stay here.”

 

He walked up the steps and immediately hammered loudly on the door. He turned to look at Alyssa who had her feet apart, hands behind her back, and her eyes towards the ground. He was momentarily distracted by her natural beauty when the door opened slightly, “Yes? What do you want?”

 

“Oh, Hi,” he said, “My name is Ricky and I’m really sorry to disturb you but I just had to ask about this beautiful deck—”

 

The woman behind the door said, “I’m very busy right now—”

 

“I know. I hate to bother you, but I’m not from here; I was just passing by, and I saw this deck. I’ve seen this stuff advertised but this is the first time I’ve seen it for real. Did somebody build this for you?”

 

She said, “Some  local company…I forget who…Look, I’m really busy and…”

 

The woman opened the door a little more and said, “Who’s that?”

 

Tommy turned and looked at Alyssa, “Oh…she’s just my…girl.”

 

The door opened all the way and the woman stepped out onto the deck. She was short; probably mid forties. Her hair was mussed and she was perspiring a fair bit, “Your ‘girl’, eh? She looks more like your slave.”

 

“Yes, well…she’s not important right now. I’d really like to know more about this deck I’m late for a meeting, so I don’t have a lot of time either, but—”

 

She said, “Why don’t you have her come up here?”

 

He said, “Look, unless you’re familiar with the lifestyle, then you wouldn’t understand. She’s being punished, so I’d rather just leave her there.”

 

“Maybe I understand better than you think,” she said.

 

“Why? Are you into the ‘lifestyle’ as well?”

 

She said, “As a matter of fact, I am. I have a new slave of my own. I just got her the other day.”

 

The woman, thinking that she was talking to a kindred spirit, relaxed quite a bit and they spent the next twenty minutes chatting. He was constantly trying to steer the conversation to the deck; and she was urging him to bring Alyssa closer. He kept refusing, saying that it would undermine her punishment. Finally he saw Lindsey about two houses over, hiding from the woman’s view. She was waving a blue paper; obviously she had obtained the warrant.

 

Tommy looked at his watch and said, “I’m sorry. I’m so late for my meeting…I have to go, but maybe on my way back through I could stop by?”

 

She said, “Sure. I’ll be here.”

 

She went to shake his hand but he pretended that he didn’t see and went down the stairs to Alyssa. Together they continued down the street, away from Lindsey and the police officers. They kept walking until they heard the ETF people break in the front door of the house, and then they returned to the foot of the walkway.

 

There was all kinds of commotion for the next few minutes. Officers and paramedics scurrying all over the place. Then one of the medics came out and asked if anyone had bolt cutters.

 

Tommy said, “What’s wrong?”

 

“She’s got the girl locked in the cross with combination locks,” said the medic.

 

“Are they blue, with yellow knobs?”

 

The medic stopped and said, “Yeah, as a matter of fact. How’d you—”

 

Tommy immediately headed into the house and saw Lindsey questioning the woman who was cuffed and seated on a couch.

 

“I need to go down there,” he said.

 

Lindsey motioned for another officer to bring him to the basement where he saw the young women locked in, facing the St. Andrew’s Cross. He motioned for two officers to hold her arms and take her weight while he reached down to the combination lock on her left ankle cuff, pushed the knob to the right, then pressed it down. The lock immediately popped open and he repeated the process on her other ankle lock. The girl collapsed a bit but the two officers took her weight so he could get to the locks on her wrist cuffs.

 

As he reached for the lock on her left wrist, the girl turned her head towards him and, almost unconscious, she whispered, “Mr. Darquesied?”

 

“OH SHIT…! NICOLETTE!”

 

Frantic now, he popped the other lock and he and the officers guided her to the floor. He was beside himself, asking how she got there and why she hadn’t called, but she had passed out. The paramedics had to push him back so they could attend to her and one of the officers stood in front of him, trying to calm him down.

 

After a few moments, one of the medics said, “She’ll be okay, sir. She’s dehydrated, and bruised pretty good, but no broken bones. Just let us do our thing, sir. She’ll be okay.”

 

Tommy began to settle down, realizing his actions weren’t helping. The officer escorted him back upstairs, but when he saw the woman, he made a move towards her, causing her to stand and the officer to grab him.

 

“YOU SLIMY BITCH! YOU ARE THE SCUM THAT OTHER SCUM SCRAPES OFF THE BOTTOM OF ITS SHOES! YOU WANNA SEE WHAT A WHIP CAN DO…? JUST GIVE ME TWO MINUTES, CORPORAL…TWO MINUTES, AND YOU WON’T NEED A TRIAL!”

 

Lindsey came over to try and calm him down, leaving the woman standing in front of the couch and Alyssa a couple of feet in front of her. The woman whispered to Alyssa, “Maybe someday I’ll beat that ass of yours.”

 

Unnoticed, Alyssa moved to within a few inches of the woman’s face, “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear what you said.”

 

As the woman began to speak, Alyssa suddenly head butted her square in the face. The sound of her nose giving way was like the noise of a stalk of celery being split. An officer grabbed Alyssa by the arms and pulled her away while Lindsey went to the woman and sat her down. The blood streaming from her nose coated her already filthy tee shirt, and clearly showed that it was broken.

 

“LITTLE BITCH!” she shouted, “SHE ASSAULTED ME! YOU SAW! ARREST HER!”

 

Corporal Stapleton turned to her fellow officers and said, “Anybody here see that girl assault this woman?”

 

They all indicated that they had not, and then one officer stepped forward and said, “I think I may have had to strike her during the take down.”

 

Another officer stepped up and said, “No, I think it was me.”

 

One by one, all the officers and ETF people said that it may have been them who caused the injury to the unfortunate woman. Tommy smiled at them all and then led Alyssa out and back to the cruiser.

 

He wanted to go along when the paramedics were ready to transport Nicolette to the hospital, but the crown attorney insisted the Lindsey get his statement without delay, so Alyssa went instead. It was already getting dark when things began to settle down. As the corporal and Tommy got into the cruiser for the ride back, he said, “How could this have happened…? What are the odds that I would be involved and that she would—?”

 

“Sam,” interrupted Lindsey, “You saved her life today. Why not just be happy with that for now?”

 

“Yeah, I guess,” he said.

 

Lindsey said, “The girl, Miss Lowes, came to for a minute and I was able to get some of the details.

 

“Apparently, for some reason, she left Chicago in a rush and didn’t have any of your information. She stayed in a hotel the first night, and then got an airport limo to take her to Hazelton. She thought she remembered that you said your place was close to that town. She went to the local paper for directions.

 

“Near as I can figure, Alice Handel must have been just outside the door when the kid was placing her ad. She must have seen Miss Lowes and, somehow, heard her ask for you; maybe the kid told her. Anyway, when Miss Lowes came out, Handel told her she was a friend of yours and would take her to you. You know the rest.”

 

It was almost nine P.M. when the arrived back at the Novomercado station. Tommy was getting increasingly hungry and tired, but he was immediately accosted by the young lawyer for the crown who managed to drag out the taking of his statement to over an hour. In the meantime, Alyssa called to say that Nicolette had checked out okay at the hospital and was being released. A police woman was driving them back to the ranch, so he could just go straight home when he was done.

 

Finally finished with the lawyer, he said goodbye to a couple of people then headed to the parking lot. As he was about to get into the truck, he heard Lindsey behind him, “Sam…Sam…wait up.”

 

“Something wrong?” he said.

 

“No, no,” she said, “I just wanted to thank you. We got a dangerous predator off the street today, Sam. We saved that girl’s life; and who knows how many others she would have taken. That’s all thanks to you, Sam.”

 

“Seems to me that there were an awful lot of people working very hard on this, but I’m glad I could help. I’ll see you sometime, Lindsey.”

 

She said, “Actually…I was hoping to come out and see you, maybe in a couple of days, when things settle down.”

 

“Yeah, sure,” he said, “but call first, okay? You know, even Mother Teresa got nervous when she saw an unexpected cruiser in the driveway!”

 

She said, “I will call ahead, but, don’t worry, it’ll be my own car next time.”

 

* * *

 

“And, lastly, Sam Darquesied,” said Sadie, “Sam, you have become a truly good friend over the past few years. For obvious reasons, I’m not going to go into any detail here, but you’re kindness and patience with this old broad has always been very special to me.

 

“I know you would not accept any money so I have donated a sum to Plan Canada in your name. I have also set up a fund through Chicago First National; the lawyer will give you a letter with the details, but you know what it’s for…Thank you for everything, Sam.”

 

The funeral had been a pompous affair; befitting a woman of Sadie’s wealth and stature, but Tommy knew that she would have preferred something less ostentatious. She was one of the most down to earth people he had ever met; despising pretentiousness and affectation. He knew her as a strong woman, but sitting there in the lawyer’s office, amid Sadie’s family, he mused that she must have been even tougher than he thought.

 

Candice, Sadie’s daughter and the mother of Nicolette, had been arguing with various and sundry relatives over the estate. So and so got too much; so and so shouldn’t get any at all…it was like listening to a hundred people scraping their nails on a blackboard—all at the same time! Interestingly, not once had Candice inquired as to the welfare or whereabouts of Nicolette.

 

Alyssa had held his hand throughout the reading of the living will; something neither one had ever seen before. They, along with Sadie’s lawyer, Theodore Tackle, had been the only people in the room who had shed a tear. Sadie had presented “Teddy” as an honest and caring man who would assist Tommy with the “fund.” The fund, of course, was for expenses involving Nicolette.

 

“I loved Sadie too Tommy, but I think she has asked too much of you,” said Alyssa as they left the lawyers office.

 

“I wonder if they actually knew,” said Tommy, “They knew Nicolette has lots of issues, but I don’t think they knew that she is essentially…another ‘Amanda’; but Sadie must have trusted Ted quite a bit. The letter says that I am in control of the ‘fund’, but he’s in complete control of Nicolette’s inheritance; and that’s millions of dollars.”

 

Alyssa said, “He seems like a decent guy. I guess we’ll get to know him better at the meeting this afternoon.”

 

He said, “Yeah…well that’s three hours from now, so…you want to get some lunch?”

 

Grabbing his arm with both hands, she moved in close, and said, “We’re close to the hotel. Could we go there and just get room service? I need to get some…therapy!”

 

He smiled, took her by the hand, and headed for the hotel. Almost from the day they met, whenever Alyssa got anxious or nervous, her favourite and most effective method of relaxation…was to wrap her luscious lips around his cock! It never ceased to amaze him that something so delightful for him was therapeutic for her; but it actually was! When she was done she was always relaxed and truly happy. All he could do was occasionally look up to the heavens and say, “Thank you very, very much!”

 

* * *

 

Tommy glanced at Alyssa, asleep on his shoulder, and then turned back to staring at the clouds below. There was a lot to think about; and Nicolette was the hub of it all. As well as Ted thought he knew her, the lawyer was stunned when Tommy had told him that she may have been seeking the very thing that they had rescued her from.

 

“I have never seen any evidence of that kind of desire in Nicolette; not even a hint,” said Ted.

 

Tommy said, “I understand, Ted, but neither you nor Sadie would have known what to look for. I’ve seen this before but I’ve never been directly involved. She may need some psychiatric assistance; I’m not sure.”

 

“Well,” said the lawyer, “Sadie seemed to have a lot of faith in you. Remember, I only have custody of her money; and even that is somewhat limited. When she’s twenty one, she could easily have me removed as the custodian. Sadie has essentially put Nicolette’s well being in your hands.”

 

That last statement had been ringing in Tommy’s head all afternoon; her well being was in his hands. He felt almost sick to his stomach, realizing he was no more qualified for that then he was when he helped Corporal Stapleton. He knew he had gotten really lucky there; things just came together like there was some kind of divine guidance. He had been instrumental in saving her life, but this was different. This was trying to save the rest of her life.

 

He was unbelievably exhausted, driving home from the police station that night. All he wanted to do was have a bite to eat then hit the sack; and hit it hard, but Alyssa had met him at the door and said, “You have to talk to her, Tommy…we may have a problem.”

 

She pointed to the living room and then went to get him a cup of tea. He stood in the door and looked at Nicolette as she sat on the couch, staring at the floor. He realized he really had no idea who this girl was. He had only met her briefly at Sadie’s, before his birthday, then once more…when she was hanging on the St. Andrew’s cross.

 

He went to his chair just as Alyssa came back from the kitchen, “I know I said tea but then I realized that you might prefer this.”

 

He took the rye and ginger from her then waited as she lit the cigar. She transferred that first puff, and then leaned in, kissed him, and said, “It has been a hell of a day, Tommy…Remember; you saved her life, okay?”

 

A little puzzled by that remark, he watched Alyssa as she went to the other end of the couch and sat. He took a long, slow swig of the drink then an even longer and slower drag from the cigar, “So, Nicolette, how are you feeling?”

 

Still staring at the floor, she meekly said, “Okay, I guess, Mr. Darquesied…but I’m very confused.”

 

“Confused? About what?”

 

She said, “Why did you take me out of there? My training had only just started.”

 

Incredulous, Tommy said, “What…? What?”

 

She said, “My mistress said that I would have to train for at least a week, but I was only there for two days. Why did you stop my training? Have I done something wrong?”

 

Tommy face went gray. He abruptly stood and said, “Ally, come with me please…and you…you stay right there!”

 

“Yes, Master,” she said.

 

He said, “What…? No…! You don’t have to…JESUS!”

 

In the hallway with Alyssa, he said, “What the hell!? What is with her? Is she--?”

 

Alyssa said, “I think she’s…like Amanda. She wants to be totally dominated. I think she wants somebody to take over her life and she doesn’t care what they do to her; as long as she doesn’t have to make any decisions for herself…I told you we had a problem.”

 

“Shit!” he muttered, “Okay…okay…uh…let’s go back in.”

 

For the next twenty minutes, Tommy asked Nicolette question after question; always getting responses that reinforced Alyssa’s assessment. Finally he went to the office and made a phone call, then returned carrying a length of hemp rope, “Nicolette, please stand up and turn around, with your hands behind your back.”

 

She stood immediately, almost as if she was relieved; as if she had been waiting for someone to tell her what to do. She continued to look at the floor while Tommy bound her wrists in his signature rope cuff. Alyssa was visibly puzzled as he affixed a collar around Nicolette’s neck, and then attached a leash.

 

“Turn and face me,” he said, “Nicolette, I am your master. Even if you are being trained by others, your only function is to please me. Do you understand?”

 

“Yes,” she said softly.

 

Speaking firmly, Tommy said, “No! You will always refer to me as ‘master’! Now…try again!”

 

“Yes, Master,”

 

“That’s better,” he said, “Now…you will have two mistresses, and only two. You will obey them as you would me…without question. She (pointing to Alyssa) is ‘Mistress Alyssa’, and you are about to meet ‘Mistress Kendall’. Do you understand what I have just told you?”

 

“Yes, Master,” she said.

 

He said, “Then repeat it please.”

 

“Yes, Master,” she said, “You are my master and I must please you always. I have two mistresses, Mistress Alyssa and Mistress Kendall, and I must obey them without question…to please you.”

 

“Good…now come with me,” he said, as he handed the leash to Alyssa and walked out the front door.

 

Tommy walked towards Kendall’s house with Alyssa following, leading Nicolette with the leash. He motioned for them to stand at the side while he knocked on Kendall’s door, and, after speaking with her for a moment, he turned and motioned for Alyssa to bring Nicolette forward.

 

“Please introduce yourself to Mistress Kendall,” he said, “and be sure you do it properly.”

 

With her head down and eyes to the floor, she said, “Uh…I am…my master’s slave and I am to obey you just like I would him. You are my mistress, Mistress Kendall.”

 

Alyssa handed Kendall the leash, and then she and Tommy started walking back to the house, “Are we doing the right thing, Tommy…? Why Kenny?”

 

“Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s the right thing, but Nicolette needs somebody right now…I’m hoping that Kenny is the one, at least for now. She’s always exhibited domme tendencies, so…I don’t’ know, I’m guessing for tonight, but I’ll get a pro involved tomorrow.”

 

Alyssa was surprised, “Kenny…? Since when is she a domme?”

 

“Think about it,” he said, “When she’s with Sylvia, who gets tied up? Kendall always takes charge and Syl always ends up bound and submissive. We talked on the phone and I think this will be good for her and, hopefully, it’ll keep Nicolette distracted until I can get her some real help.”

 

She said, “Hmmm…You know, I never realized…but you’re right. That night we played—when you were at Sylvia’s, planning KriSylDarque—I was the one who ended up…son of a gun! She is a domme!”

* * *

 

“Dr. McDermott? It’s Sam Darquesied. We met yesterday at—”

 

On the other end of the line, the psychologist said, “Yes, I remember you of course. How are you today?”

 

“I’m good,” he said, “I had a good nights sleep and now I’m back to my usual twenty percent…The reason I called; Nicolette, the girl we rescued yesterday…she needs some professional help—”

 

“Yes,” said the doctor, “I would have guessed as much. I didn’t see her much yesterday, but I could tell that she was…distressed.”

 

Tommy said, “Well, I’m not sure if ‘distressed’ covers it, but it’ll do for now…Lindsey, Corporal Stapleton, has informed me that you are aware of…what we do here, at least to a certain degree.”

 

Dr. McDermott said, “Yes, as you say, to a certain degree. There were obvious questions as to why you were involved.”

 

“Right…well, what would it take to get you to come out here and examine Nicolette? This would, of course, be on the clock; and she really needs some help—”

 

“I’ll be there in about an hour,” said Dr. McDermott.

 

Tommy said, “That’s terrific! I really appreciate it doc. Listen, come to the main house first, okay? I think we should talk before you see her.”

 

“Yes, I agree,” said Dr. McDermott.

 

Tommy gave the doctor directions to the ranch then walked to Kendall’s to check on Nicolette. He was a little surprised that he didn’t have to push a bit harder with the psychologist, who had obviously taken an interest in Nicolette’s case, which, as far as Tommy was concerned, had to be a plus.

 

Although he was concerned about Nicolette, he had slept well, thanks to Alyssa. She had essentially put him to bed; stripping him of his clothes then having him lie down on his stomach. He drifted off as she gently massaged his back; something which always overcame any restlessness he might have had.

 

“Kenny? You awake?” he said, peering through the screen door. Normally he would just walk in, but he thought it better to wait for an answer this time.

 

“’Morning, Sammy, come on in,” said Kendall as she opened the front door.

 

She led him to the kitchen where they found Nicolette sitting on a stool eating breakfast. She was naked, with her ankles bound together, and her wrists bound in front. She and Kendall had obviously showered…together, he assumed, and she looked much better. She was quite pretty, with a nice figure and light brown hair cut in a pageboy. She was a little on the skinny side and her boobs were quite small. Dressed appropriately; she could easily pass as a young boy.

 

Kendall said, “Your master is here. Please say good morning.”

 

“Good morning, Master,” said Nicolette.

 

“Good morning,” he said, “Did you sleep well?”

 

“Oh yes, Master, Very well.”

 

He took Kendall back into the hall, out of earshot,” So…how was she last night?”

 

“Good,” she said, “I got her cleaned up with a shower; we played a bit, then I tied her to her bed and she slept like a baby.”

 

“Played a bit?” he said.

 

Kendall said, “No whips or anything…I got off, she got off…and she seems happy enough now.”

 

“Yeah, okay…That shrink I told you about is coming in about an hour, so let her know; and stress that she has to talk openly with this guy.”

 

He went back to the main house and sat with Alyssa over coffee. Dr. McDermott surprised both of them when he showed up exactly on time and Tommy buzzed the gate to let him in then went out to greet him, “I can’t tell what a load off my mind this is Dr. McDermott; I really appreciate you coming out so fast.”

 

“Please call me Sidney,” he said, shaking Tommy’s hand. They went into the house and were greeted by Alyssa who had fresh coffee waiting.

 

Tommy said, “You remember my special lady, Alyssa.”

 

“How could I forget such a vision of loveliness,” said Sidney as he gallantly kissed the back of her hand.

 

They sat themselves around the small, kitchen table, and Tommy said, “Well, the reason I wanted to talk to you before you saw—”

 

“Sam, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I think I should tell you a couple of things first.”

 

Tommy said, “Oh…sure doc, go ahead.”

 

Sidney continued, “Yesterday, the good corporal filled me in with as much detail as time would permit as to the type of operation you run here. I want you to know that I am not shocked or offended in any way.”

 

“Really,” said Tommy, “Not even a little?”

 

Sidney said, “Not even a little…I have been married for almost thirty years; and my wife and I have had a top/bottom relationship for the last sixteen years. Actually, I had always been interested, but didn’t realize that Patricia, my wife, was as well. We both regret those early, wasted years.

 

“Having said that; I am fascinated by this case…Nicolette’s case. I have read some journals that address this type of thing, but frankly, real data is pretty thin. The first time I’ve actually seen it was that Amanda woman on ‘Last Master Standing.’”

 

Tommy sighed and said, “Geez! Is there anybody who hasn’t seen that stupid show?”

 

The doctor chuckled, “You two should have won that, by the way. Patricia cried when you fired those arrows into the crossbar, Sam.”

 

“Yeah, me too!” said Tommy; earning himself a playful punch in the shoulder from Alyssa.

 

Sidney said, “Well, I would like to go see her now. I should be an hour or so, then perhaps we can meet again after.”

 

With that, Tommy took Dr. McDermott to Kendall’s place and introduced them, and then returned to the house. As he re-entered the hallway, Alyssa, standing near the stairs, said, “Do you want to have a shower now?”

 

He said, “No…maybe after the doc’s gone.”

 

“Okay,” she said, “Well, I’m going to shower now—”

 

“Oh…Actually, I probably should have a shower, now that you mention it!” he said with a smile; and then they both stood there for a moment; Alyssa with her hand on the bottom of the rail, and Tommy beside her.

 

“After you,” he said.

 

She sighed, “You know, I still think it should be; you lead and I follow!”

 

“Oh no, my dear,” he said, “You might trip and fall and it’s my duty to protect—”

 

Suddenly she started to dash up the steps, trying to avoid the inevitable goose, but he managed to catch up near the top and his Machiavellian fingers were right on target.

 

“AHHHGH…SHIT…! Why is that spot so sensitive!” she shrieked.

 

“What spot is that, Miss Eaglefeather?”

 

Perplexed, she said, “You know very well what spot…where the top of your legs meet your bum and creates that…spot. I don’t even think there’s a name for it.”

 

He said, “Hmmm…I’m not sure, but I kind of like…‘Funhouse!’”

 

She sighed again and led him into the bedroom. When they had shed their clothes, Tommy pulled her to him, wrapped his arms around her, and pressed his lips to hers in a long, deep kiss. She eagerly returned the embrace, resigned to the fact that the little dark cave…the one that is created where the top of her legs meets the bottom of her bum…would forevermore be referred to as her ‘funhouse.’

 

* * *

 

The doctor rapped on the screen door of the main house precisely one hour after he had left. Tommy, sitting in the kitchen with Alyssa, waved for him to enter, “Come on in, Doc. Wow when you say one hour, you mean one hour!”

 

“Yes,” chuckled the doctor, “A little compulsive about that kind of thing I’m afraid. Perhaps I should see a psychologist!”

 

Dr. McDermott joined them at the little table while Alyssa got him a coffee and Tommy said, “So, Sidney, is that the first patient you’ve had who was bound naked to a chair?”

 

He chuckled again and said, “As a matter of fact, it was…Seriously though, Nicolette is an interesting case. She has completely given over her will to you and expects you to make all the decisions regarding her welfare. She also expects to receive punishment; in fact, without it, she will feel abandoned.”

 

“Why now?” said Tommy, “She seemed okay in Chicago.”

 

The doctor said, “I’ve seen this kind of thing before; it’s not as unusual as you might think. What is unusual, at least in my experience, is how it has manifested itself.”

 

Tommy looked at Alyssa, “Do you get what he’s saying?”

 

“Yes, I think so,” she said.

 

“Well, Sydney, that’s one out of two!” he said, “You’re going to have to explain it to me like I’m a four year old.”

 

The doctor readjusted himself in his chair, and said, “You’re old enough to remember when the Beatles first came over from England. Do you recall the footage of the young girls at the concerts, going crazy, screaming, and carrying on?

 

“Most were jumping and shouting, but quite a number were weeping uncontrollably and some were so overcome, they fainted. Many studies since, have shown that those extreme emotions were not directly connected to the event itself, but rather some pent up anxieties, totally unrelated. The event was merely a trigger.”

 

Tommy said, “You think Nicolette is like one of those screaming teenagers?”

 

“Similar,” said Sidney, “but more extreme. I suspect the trigger was the death of her grandmother; the only person in her world that she felt she could trust. Nicolette felt that, no matter what she did, her grandmother would always be there for her. She could confide in her and get advice form her. In essence, her grandmother was a large part of Nicolette’s decision making process.”

 

Tommy said, “So, now that Sadie’s gone, Nicolette feels abandoned and isolated; unable to trust in her own choices.”

 

“Exactly,” said Sidney, “The good news is that I think we can bring her out of it fairly quickly; a month maybe. She does not appear to be sinking lower; in other words, she is content at the moment and is probably exactly where she should be. She needs to continue to think of you as her master; someone who will make choices for her.

 

“I would like to see her every day, and I would like Kendall to be present at those meetings. I am intrigued by this case, and I would like to treat this as a case study. I’m sure we can work out a rate schedule that will be equitable to us both.”

 

Tommy said, “Every day? Can you afford that kind of time?”

 

Sidney said, “As I said, I am intrigued by Nicolette’s case; I will make the time.”

 

They talked for a bit more and worked out a reasonable rate for the psychologist’s time, and then they walked to Kendall’s for a short meeting with her. Sidney emphasized the need to create a routine for Nicolette, which would include regular chores, regular meal times, regular personal hygiene, and regular discipline. He left it to Tommy to work out those details.

 

After seeing the doctor off, Tommy walked back to the main house, confident that he was doing all he could for Nicolette. The psychologist’s experience with spousal bondage play was a comfort, and Kendall’s eagerness to play the dominant was a definite bonus.

 

* * *

 

One morning, almost three weeks later, Tommy was up early…well, early for him…and the first thing he did was visit Kendall’s to see how that was working out.

 

“Good morning, Master,” said Nicolette, “Please sit, and I will get you a coffee.”

 

“Good morning,” he said, as he took a seat at the kitchen table.

 

She was naked with her hands hobbled in front, but her ankles were in a relatively loose hobble that allowed her to move around. He and Kendall thought it best to keep Nicolette in some kind of restraints at all times. She seemed comfortable with that as well.

 

“So, Ken…uh…Mistress Kendall, how is my little slave coming along?”

 

Kendall said, “Quite well, Master, she takes her discipline without complaint and has been quite helpful with her chores.”

 

Nicolette brought him his coffee then stood back with her eyes to the floor, and Tommy said, “I am happy to hear that your Mistress is pleased with your training, my little slave. Now, I would like you to go to the front porch and kneel on the mat until I tell you otherwise. You may sit on your heels if you wish, but your knees must be apart.”

 

“Yes Master,” she said, and then she went down the hall and out the front door.

 

Tommy said, “You’re doing a great job here, Kenny, I really appreciate it…How are you feeling about all this?”

 

“It’s okay, Sam,” she said, “I feel fine. When you said that you thought I had ‘domme’ tendencies, I was actually a little insulted at first, but I’m…kind of…I don’t know—”

 

“Enjoying it?”

 

She said, “Yes…! Is that wrong of me?”

 

“No! Not at all!” he said, “Just be sure to stay within the parameters that we set up…Are you still…playing with her? Have you got her off with the pony’s tail?”

 

“Oh yes! I think I know a little bit of how you feel now…It was amazing to watch her climax while I whipped her between her legs. I wouldn’t mind a bit more practice though.”

 

He said, “Oh sure…Maybe this evening, if you like. I’m going to be busy with Alyssa most of the day…Well, I should get going.”

 

They walked to the front door, and Tommy went out to the porch, “Please stand now, my little slave.”

 

Nicolette got to her feet then Tommy leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead, “I’m very pleased with your progress. You may now go back in with Mistress Kendall.”

 

“Yes Master.”

 

He went back to the main house to find Alyssa futzing away in the kitchen, “Good morning, sweetie. You were up early today. Everything okay with Nicolette?”

 

“Yeah,” he said, “Kendall is doing real well with her. I was actually a bit concerned about her…Kendall, but she seems to be okay with everything…better than okay, really…So, what are your plans for today?”

 

She said, “Oh…nothing really. Why? Do you have some…OH…! Today? Really?”

 

He said, “Well, yes, if you want—”

 

“Hell YES…! I just wasn’t expecting...with all that’s going on.” she said.

 

He said, “Okay…I’m going to the studio, and I’ll be back in twenty minutes. Do me a favour…no stinger! I’m not comfortable with it yet.”

 

“Yes, Tommy.”

 

* * *

 

The thing that made their house different then most was the fact that the place had a number of strategically placed, and mostly hidden, tie downs. Tommy had purchased and installed several swiveling flush mounted D-ring tie downs, originally designed for large trailers. When folded, they could easily be made to disappear; under carpets; under drapes; sometimes under removable panels. There was one hidden in the top of the archway between the dining and living rooms. Two were hidden near the floor on either side of the archway, and one was in the floor, under a carpet towards the living room. There were a few others, but only these would be needed this day.

 

Tommy, holding a box of equipment from the studio, stood in the front doorway and admired his ‘perfect slave.’ Alyssa was kneeling in the hallway, naked, wearing a collar, and offering him a leather, flat bladed flogger. She really was the perfect slave; willing…no…eager to take anything he was inclined to dish out. He knew that, at the end of the day, she would only be happy if he made her spend hours in total discomfort and torment. It had taken him a while to come up with something that would accomplish that without really hurting her.

 

He walked to the kitchen, leaving her in position for the moment. He placed the box on the table, got various and assorted items ready for later use, then grabbed four ten foot lengths of smooth braided, white nylon rope and returned to the hallway.

 

Tommy took the flogger from her extended hands and said, “Stand please, and move to the centre of the dining room archway.”

 

He followed her into the living room as she moved to the specified location, “Now turn towards the dining room and stand wide at ease.”

 

The ‘wide at ease’ position was a little more difficult that just placing her hands behind her back. It required a certain amount of concentration to keep her hands it the small of her back, with the fingers of both hands extended and together, interlocking her thumbs so that the palm of her right hand was outward. It was like a soldier standing for inspection…except her legs were much further apart. Easy enough if you’re just standing there, but a bit harder if someone is lashing you with a leather flogger.

 

He started to ‘warm her up’, windmilling the flogger and lashing the outside of her right leg, from her ankle to her hip. His hits weren’t particularly hard; the object was to ‘pink her up’, leaving her in a state of tingly pins and needles rather than pain.

 

Tommy moved to the other leg and walked the whip up to her hip, then again to the other leg, but this time on the inside, up to her bum, then back to the left leg. Her breathing was becoming rapid, and the odd “Oh” would escape in a whisper.

 

Downward strokes, a little softer, on her shoulders and down, avoiding her hands, then to her bum; again with downward strokes, then changing to upward. All the while he watched and listened to her; the colour of her skin, her breathing and other sounds, her movements and winces. What he saw and heard told him what was happening inside her body and mind; and this was his real talent…his gift.

 

Tommy did feel somewhat powerful when he wielded a whip, but not because he was inflicting pain; the real power was the way he could bring a woman to her edge. Anything more would be torture, but staying just within that boundary…was ecstasy. It was a rapture that only he could provide; no one else in their lives could do this for them; and doing this for Alyssa was his greatest pleasure…because it was hers as well.

 

“Please turn around now,” he said.

 

She turned as requested and resumed the ‘wide at ease’ stance, with her head facing to the right. She wanted to look at him and smile and tell him how she loved him, but she was in slave mode, and, no matter what, she needed to be truly, his perfect slave.

 

He put the flogger back in motion and again, walked it up the outside of one leg, then down the other. Up the inside of the left leg, then down the other. She was able to fight the urge to wince until the whip reached the inside of her thighs, then her face screwed up and she whispered, “Oh…geez…oh.”

 

He moved to her abdomen with horizontal lashes, and then switched to vertical strikes, causing her to involuntarily cringe. Then he said, “Arms out to your sides, please.”

 

She moved her arms straight out, almost touching the side of the archway with her fingertips. Without being told, she flattened her palms, fingers together, and faced them towards Tommy. He then walked the whip horizontally up her side, out her left arm, right out to the tips of her fingers. He walked the whip back along her arm, across her chest, then repeated the procedure on her other side, again out along her arm, out to her fingertips. Alyssa couldn’t keep herself from scrunching up her face, but she held her ground otherwise.

 

Her breathing turned to panting the moment the flogger touched her breast. Downward strokes on the top of her boobs , then upward on the bottoms. When he pulled the whip back, just clipping her areola and nipples, she could no longer keep things at a whisper.

 

“OW…OHSHIT…OW!”

 

Tommy, as always, watching her very carefully, noticed the small trickle of liquid on the inside of her thigh; he new it was time. He stopped the lash for a moment, and then caused her to gasp as he delivered a clean, upward stroke, squarely between her legs.

 

“OHGAWD!” she said, as her eyes snapped wide open.

 

He softened the blows, but kept lashing, steady and rhythmic, lightly striking her perineum, over her spread labia, and just nicking her clitoris. It was easier from the front, and he had done this so much to her, he could do it in his sleep…it was only a matter of time…

 

“OH…TOMMY! CHICAGO…CHICAGO!”

 

With her arms still out to the side, she struggled to maintain her position as her orgasm felt like it was tearing her abdomen apart. The sound of the whip lashing at her swollen labia, actually changed as it began to pick up the excess moisture oozing from her vagina.

 

She wasn’t crying as such, but tears were streaming down her face as she convulsed; her body frantically wanting to get away from the whip; and yet anxiously craving more.

 

She was gasping with each strike as her climax ebbed and her vagina became increasingly sensitive. She was normally bound when she was flogged, but unrestrained, it was terribly difficult to sustain her stance and keep her arms out straight. He had slowed and softened the lashes considerably, but still, every strike forced her to fight the instinctive need to recoil.

 

Mercifully, he withdrew the whip, and Alyssa was left trembling, gasping for air, and perspiring like a Bedouin camel herder. After a very short respite, Tommy said, “Lower you arms to you sides and turn towards the dining room. Bring your legs together a bit…about a foot apart, please.”

 

She complied with his request and he immediately attached two ropes to her ankles using French bowline loops. He had her spread her legs about a metre apart, then secured the ropes in the low D-rings on each side of the archway. Again he used non slip, French bowline loops to attach ropes just above her knees. He threaded the ends of these ropes through the D-ring hidden under the carpet…about a metre behind her.

 

Next, Tommy bound her wrists in a rope hobble, then took one more length, fastened it to the centre of the hobble, and looped the end through the D-ring at the top of the archway. Slowly and carefully he pulled the rope through the D-ring, forcing Alyssa to bend forward at the waist as her wrists rose higher and higher. He watched her closely, and when her heels just lifted off the floor, he stopped and secured the rope. She was now essentially immobile; her back was parallel to the floor and her wrists pulled high towards the ceiling. The knee ropes kept her from bending her legs, and with her heels slightly off the floor, she was forced to keep her leg muscles taut to avoid too much strain on her shoulders.

 

“S’okay?” he asked.

 

Chuckling a little, she replied, “S’okay.”

 

Tommy then went to the kitchen and retrieved a clean ball gag from its plastic bag, rinsed it with cold water, and returned to the dining room. Alyssa raised her head and returned his tender kiss, as he knelt in front of her, and then she opened her mouth wide to accept the gag.

 

With the exception of the knee ropes, she had been bound like this several times before. Usually it involved a bit of flogging and Tommy taking her from behind; it had been generally some kind of ravishment scenario. She realized it was different this time; she knew she would be in the position for a long time; and judging by the box of goodies that he had brought from the studio, she was pretty sure it was going to involve “lifters.”

 

“Lifters” was a generic term Tommy used to describe any play involving electrics. He had heard a friend, who worked in hydro electric tower construction, use the term to describe a shock that workers get if they touch a tower while they are not grounded.

 

As she felt the lubricated, ceramic dildo slowly slide into her rectum, Alyssa knew her trepidation had been justified…It was going to be a long afternoon.

 

She felt him affix a Velcro strap to hold the dildo in place, and then he stuck a quarter-sized contact patch squarely on her clit. Not satisfied that the stickum would hold it in place, he used another Velcro strap as insurance. He then knelt in front of her and said, “Take a deep breath.”

 

She glanced at the two stainless steel, Japanese clover nipple clamps, took a breath, closed her eyes, and hummed into the gag, “HmmmmmMMMMM!”

 

Tommy watched her for a moment as she panted and adjusted to the pinch of the clamps on her tender nipples. She nodded that she was okay, so he collected all the hanging wires and plugged them into the control box. She watched as he plugged a short USB cable from a wireless receiver into the controller, then he gave her another kiss on the cheek, and moved to the kitchen, sitting in front of the notebook computer.

 

Technically, she wasn’t supposed to look up, but doing her best not to turn her head, she couldn’t help but watch from the corner of her eye. She saw him fiddle with the USB cable and plug a phone cord into the modem. She was a little puzzled at the phone cord since the laptop normally went on line via wireless. The one thing she knew for sure; those wires weren’t attached to her for nothing. Then the phone rang…

 

The low voltage current surged through her with each ring of the phone; lasting as long as the duration of the ring. It wasn’t painful but it caused every muscle in her body to seize. As long as the electricity flowed she had utterly no control over her body…like she was possessed by another psyche.

 

She bit hard on the gag and let out a loud, “UNNNNNNNHHHHH!”

 

Each hit of current felt like strong, hot, fingers pinching her hard at the contact locations; the clover clamps, the dildos, and especially the contact pad on her clitoris. Between rings she could feel her arousal increase, then hold as the electricity surged again.

 

Finally, she heard Tommy answer the phone. She stood there, muscles aching, panting and exasperated, as she heard him say, “Hey. Thanks for calling…No, there was no particular reason. I’m just testing the phone system…Yeah…Good, so you’ll call again in an hour or so…? No, doesn’t have to be exact, just whenever…thanks…bye now.”

 

Over the next half hour or so, Tommy received five more “test” calls. Each time he let it ring about ten times and Alyssa’s first orgasm came on the last ring of the second call. She tried to get through it as quietly as she could, hoping the phone wouldn’t ring again for at least a few minutes. That time, her wish was granted, but not the next.

 

Her second climax struck as the fourth call came in. The third ring triggered her orgasm and the subsequent rings caused her to scream into the gag as the current attacked her already convulsing abdomen.

 

By the time Tommy picked up the phone, she was light headed, dizzy, sweating like a rock star, and crying softly as her discomfort and aching muscles began to get the best of her. She was certain that she would most likely pass out if the next orgasm hit while the phone is ringing, but she knew Tommy was watching and would take care of her.

 

She had regained a bit of composure by the time the phone rang again, about ten minutes later. There was no fighting that contact affixed to her clit. It ramped up her arousal every time and she knew the next call was going to be trouble. Mercifully, Tommy picked it up on the seventh ring, “Hello…Oh, hi…where are you…? The driveway…? What are you…Oh, well, you know…I’m not sure if this is a good time…No, you know what…come on up…I’ll get the gate.”

 

He hit a few keys on the computer, then stood and walked to her side, “How are you doing?”

 

Into the gag she said, “O-hay.”

 

“Well,” he said, “you’re going to get a little reprieve. We have a visitor coming…It’s the corporal.”

 

Alyssa looked up at him, a little surprised that he would let anyone see her in her current predicament. He didn’t speak for a moment and then she realized he was actually waiting for her approval. If she wanted to, she could leave and get dressed. Instead, she nodded that she was okay, knowing that he must have a good reason for bringing Lindsey in while she was still bound. At least she’d get a break form the “lifters.”

 

He kissed her, then walked to the front door and pressed the gate button. A few minutes later Alyssa heard him greet the policewoman. They spoke on the front porch for a couple of minutes and then he invited her in; and as they walked by the dining room doorway, Alyssa heard Lindsey gasp, “OH MY…! Jesus!”

 

From the kitchen, Tommy said, “Ignore that, please. It has nothing at all to do with what we have to discuss.”

 

Lindsey said, “Uh…maybe I should go…I didn’t mean to interrupt—”

 

“If you want,” said Tommy, abruptly, “You can come back any time you feel like it. In fact, you can talk yourself out of this as often as you want. I’m sure you’ve already done that quite a bit. Spunk isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

 

Alyssa just stared at the floor and listened. She would not acknowledge Lindsey’s presence unless Tommy allowed it; and she could hear that he was being very stern with the corporal…like a school principal addressing a troublesome pupil. She began to realize what he was doing and knew that he was counting on her to be her best “perfect slave.”

 

Lindsey immediately marched to the kitchen saying, “Look, I know you’re supposed to be some sort of ‘master’, but I didn’t come here to be berated—”

 

“Yes, actually you did, Lindsey,” he said, “Let’s get the cards on the table shall we? We both know you are fully aware of what we do here, and we both know why you came. So, you’re going to sit while I explain a few things.”

 

She glared at him for a few moments, then sat at the table and said, “Fine, explain away.”

 

“According to Kendall, she has told you virtually every little detail of our operation, so we’re not going to waste each others time. You know that you always have “Philadelphia”, therefore you are in control of your own destiny. Do you understand that? Is there anything that isn’t clear regarding the out word?”

 

“No,” said Lindsey, “I understand how ‘Philadelphia’ works. It stops everything, either permanently or temporarily to fix a problem…but—”

 

“Good! Then know this Lindsey; and I need you to listen very carefully. With that one exception, I am in charge when you are here. That is absolute; there are no ifs, buts, or maybes. I am in complete charge and it has been that way from the moment you walked in the door. Do I need to repeat that for you?”

 

Lindsey said, “Is that how it is for everybody else?”

 

“You can have one question. Is that what you want it to be?”

 

Sighing like an impatient high school girl, “Yes, I suppose.”

 

“Very well,” he said, “No, that is not how it is for everybody else; but it doesn’t matter how it is for everybody else. What matters is how it is for you and me.

 

“When we begin, I will do things to you that are more intimate then any lover has ever done, or possibly, will ever do. At the end of our session, you will find you will care for me a great deal; and I you. Not as lovers, but as very intimate friends. It is a special relationship that you will not likely ever have with anybody else…or…you will hate me and never return.”

 

Lindsey, still somewhat defiant, said, “You will do intimate things to me…? What if I don’t want you to touch me?”

 

Tommy said, “That is what the interview will determine; and that, Lindsey, is the last question I will answer at present.”

 

Lindsey began to speak, but he raised his hand, “I am giving you a certain amount of leeway because this is all new to you, but that is about to end.

 

“I need to go out and do something for the next fifteen minutes or so. I am going to remove the Alyssa’s gag and instruct her to answer any questions you may have over that period. Follow me please.”

 

Tommy grabbed a bottle of water, a straw, and a facecloth then they both rose and walked over to Alyssa’s side, and Tommy said, “If you see her in any distress you will immediately press that button by the light switch. It will signal me that there is a problem here. Follow her instructions …Do you see the rope at the ceiling? A simple tug of that hanging tail will release the rope holding her arms up. If she passes out, press the button then release the rope. Got that?”

 

A little flustered, Lindsey answered, “Uh…yes…okay, yes.”

 

“Good,” he said, “Now move away from us please.”

 

When she was out of earshot, Tommy removed Alyssa’s gag, wiped her face with the cloth, then inserted the straw into the water and moved it to her lips. Tommy let her sip all she wanted then tilted her head towards him and gave her a tender kiss, “How are you doing here, Babe?”

 

“I’m okay, Tommy. This is a hard one. Everything aches…”

 

Then she smiled and, in a whisper, she added, “Thank you, My Master.”

 

Tommy chuckled at the irony while Lindsey raised her eyebrow; finding it difficult to reconcile his tenderness and obvious love for Alyssa, against the sight of her predicament. When she had first seen her, Alyssa was panting and dripping with perspiration. It didn’t take a genius to see that whatever happened to her, before she walked in, had been, at the very least, extremely strenuous.

 

Tommy said, “Answer her questions as best you can. Don’t sugar coat anything, okay? And don’t try to influence her. She has to decide on her own.”

 

Alyssa said, “You seem to be treating her very sternly.”

 

“Yeah, I know. I think it’s what she needs…I don’t know for sure, but it seems like the way to go.”

 

He gave her another kiss then stood and turned towards Lindsey, “Ask her whatever you want. I will be back in about fifteen minutes; and when I return, I expect to find that all your clothing is piled neatly on the counter and you are sitting naked in the chair…with your eyes down and your hands behind your back. Either that…or you’re gone.

 

“I’m not being harsh. If you’re not ready, we can do this again at some later date, but, right now, those are your only two options.”

 

Without waiting for her to respond, he walked out the front door.

 

For a minute or so, the two women remained silent; Lindsey staring at Alyssa, and Alyssa staring at the floor. Ambient sounds form outside became noticeable; birds singing, the breeze agitating a wind chime, a dog barking in the distance. Lindsey was hesitant to even move a little, lest she cause the floorboards to creak, but finally she said, “Uh…are you…okay?”

 

“Yes,” said Alyssa.

 

“I mean…are you…uh…comfortable?”

 

“Not really,” said Alyssa.

 

Again there was silence, then Alyssa, realizing that simply answering yes or no would do little for the corporal, said, “Over the past hour or so, I have been whipped to orgasm with a leather flogger; firmly tied in this extremely uncomfortable position; and electrocuted at least fifty times. As a result, I have had two additional orgasms, the last of which came while being electrocuted. I was seconds away from passing out when you came in, and every muscle in my body aches. Especially my calves because of how I have to stand on my toes.”

 

Lindsey said, “I don’t understand. Why don’t you just—”

 

“Oh, and Lindsey…” Alyssa continued, “I am having a blast!”

 

Meanwhile, Tommy, who actually had nothing specific to do, saw the doc’s car in front of Kendall’s and decided to walk over and see how they were doing; it was as good a way as any to kill fifteen minutes. He walked up the steps and sat on one of the porch chairs just as Kendall, who had seen him coming, emerged with a cup of coffee.

 

He gratefully accepted the cup, took a sip, and said, “How’s it going in there?”

 

Kendall, sat on the porch railing, and said, “Really well, actually. She’s really opening up lately. I think she may even be ready…Is that Lindsey’s car?”

 

He said, “Yeah…She’s here for her interview, but she’s on the fence. I don’t know if she’s ready yet, and I’ve been a tad harsh with her. I’m not sure if that’s the right approach, but I’m kind of committed now.”

 

Smiling, Kendall said, “Harsh…? Oh…like you were with me!”

 

Tommy chuckled, “As I recall, my little country goddess, you were the one that was pretty harsh!”

 

Just then, the doctor emerged and interrupted their jibing, “Oh Sam…good, you’re here. We need to talk.”

 

“Should I go back in with Nicolette?” said Kendall.

 

“She’s fine,” said Sidney, “and I think it would be good if you stayed.”

 

Tommy said, “So, how’s she doing doc?”

 

“She’s ready, Sam,” said the doctor, “In the last few minutes she has moved to the level that I wanted her to be, so it should be now.”

 

“Now? Oh…this is not a good time, Doc. I’m in the middle of something with Ally, and the corporal is here—”

 

Sidney said, “Sam, I’m sorry, but she’s ready now. It could set us back terribly if it doesn’t happen soon. We discussed this at the beginning. You knew that it would come up like this; I had no way of knowing when she’d be ready until she was, in fact, ready.”

 

“I know,” said Tommy, “but I made a promise to Al and that’s important too…and now Lindsey is here—”

 

The sound of a car door slamming startled them and they all watched as Lindsey barreled her little car down the driveway. For a moment, It looked like she might attempt to crash through the gate, but, thankfully she stopped long enough for it to automatically open. Then the squeal of tires decisively emphasized her exit.

 

Tommy shrugged, then got up and said, “Well…that takes care of one problem, I guess...Okay, Kenny, can you get Nicolette ready and—”

 

“No,” she said.

 

Perplexed, Tommy said, “What…? Don’t fool around now, Kenny. Al’s alone in there now so I gotta get back—”

 

“It has to be you that takes her,” she said, “I’ll go in with Ally if you want.”

 

He sighed and said, “Jesus…! Okay…Doc, I need half an hour. Surely she can tread water for half an hour.”

 

“Half an hour will be fine, Sam,” said Sydney.

 

“Good. You guys keep her at the ‘level’ you were talking about and then Kenny, you come up to the house in thirty minutes.”

 

Without waiting for an answer Tommy turned and ran to the house, muttering to himself, “I’m really getting too old for this shit!”

 

As soon as he entered, Tommy said, “You okay?”

 

“Yeah, Tommy, I’m fine…Sorry, I guess I said the wrong thing. Lindsey just all of a sudden bolted out of here.”

 

He said, “Yeah, I saw. Not to worry…I was half expecting her to do that. What’d she ask you?”

 

Alyssa said, “Well, the first thing she asked was if I was comfortable. I said ‘not really’ then I tried to explain what was going on and that I was okay…that I was enjoying it.

 

“I don’t think she really got it…She was terribly nervous. She asked a few more questions, about ‘Philadelphia”, and if I minded that you treated me this way…Stuff like that. Then, all of a sudden, she said she was sorry, and flew out the door.”

 

Tommy moved to the kitchen to retrieve another bottle of water and a fresh straw. As he rinsed off the ball gag, he said, “What did she ask about ‘Philadelphia?’”

 

“She asked how long it takes you to respond once I say it…I told her I didn’t know because I’ve never said it, other than that leg cramp time. So then she asked what happened that time, and I said that you took out the gag, I said I had a cramp and told you where; you massaged it, and when it was better, the gag went back and we carried on…She seemed a bit shocked that you didn’t untie me…She just wasn’t getting it, Tommy…I’m sorry—“

 

He said, “Hey, hey! You did exactly as I asked you. You answered her questions as honestly as you could. As always, you were my perfect little slave.”

 

Tommy knelt beside her and gave her a little kiss on the cheek then stuck the straw in the bottle of water and held it to her lips. As she took a few welcome sips of the cool liquid, he said, “So…do you mind that I treat you this way?”

 

With a smile that lit up the room, she said, “I wouldn’t have it any other way, My Master.”

 

Even in her awkward position she managed to return the passion of Tommy’s deep kiss as he held her head between his hands. She could feel that this was all he ever really wanted; just to kiss and caress her and to feel her caress him. All of the work rigging up the bondage and the electrics…all of it was for her. She knew it, and she loved him desperately for it. She also could feel that there was something else going on; probably with Nicolette, and he was having a terrible time keeping his promise. She was about to tell him that he could stop if he wanted to, when he motioned for her to open her mouth.

 

As he slid the ball gag in place he said, “I do believe there are a few more phone calls coming in.”

 

She mumbled an exasperated “Hmmph” into the gag then looked at the floor, waiting for more of Tommy’s “lifters.”

 

There were no actual calls but Tommy had rigged to laptop to force the phone to ring at will; and, for the next half hour, he did just that. With each chime of the phone he watched her body tense against the current. He watched her fingers spread wide, reaching for some unknown object, then change to tightly clenched fists with the next ring. He watched her eyes slam shut and her face cringe with each jingle. He watched as her toes curled, lifting her butt ever so slightly. He could see her leg and abdomen muscles contracting with the voltage.

 

As before, the fourth “call” triggered another orgasm, but this time he let it ring and ring. Alyssa felt like she was in a blender set to “puree.” She was here voluntarily, but at this very moment, if she could have broken free, she would have done so and run screaming form the house.

 

When the ringing stopped and her climax subsided, she was left panting; sweat dripping from her nose and down the nipple clamps. As before, she was light headed and knew that another call or two would probably cause her to pass out, but at that moment, fainting would have almost been welcome.

 

As she regained some of her senses, she was a bit startled to sere Tommy kneeling beside her. She was also caught off guard at the sudden pain in her nipples as he removed the clamps. He then stood and pulled the rope tail, releasing the ceiling rope, and she could swear she heard a creaking sound from her back as he helped her stand up straight. Standing flat footed, for the first time in almost two hours, was almost ambrosial.

 

In just a couple of minutes, Tommy had the ball gag out and completely freed her from her bindings, “Stretch ‘em out, Sweetie,” he said.

 

Alyssa rubbed her wrists then bent and twisted and stretched until muscles, which felt like they might never work again, began to spring back to life.

 

Tommy said, “Follow me, please,” and led her to the living room.

 

“I need to ‘park’ you for a little while, so kneel up, please, facing the wall.”

 

Without hesitation, Alyssa, knelt facing the wall; up straight with her hands locked behind her head.

 

He said, “Kenny will be up to watch over you, but you will remain silent. I will be back as soon as possible.”

 

“Yes, Tommy,” she said.

 

Alyssa realized that “parking” her was the only way he could keep the scenario going because of whatever was going on with Nicolette. It wasn’t so bad; actually a bit of a relief from her previous predicament.

 

She heard him go out to the front porch and then talking to Kendall. She heard his footsteps going down the walkway and hers coming into the living room.

 

“I know you have to remain silent,” she said, “but the doctor says that Nicolette is ready for Sammy now. He was pretty insistent that it had to be right now, so that’s why he had to go.”

 

Kendall smiled as Alyssa gave her a thumbs up with her clenched hands.

 

Tommy, in the meantime, walked purposefully towards Kendall’s house and Dr. McDermott, still sitting on the front stoop. It occurred to Tommy that he hadn’t even seen Nicolette, other than glances through the door, for over a week.

 

“You sure that now is the time, Sidney?”

 

Dr. McDermott said, “Positive Sam, trust me…Now, it’s important that you ask the questions that we—”

 

“Got ‘em right here,” he said, tapping his breast pocket, “We’ve been over this a hundred times, Sidney. I know what I have to do, and I’m trusting you…that it is the right thing to do.”

 

Without waiting for a response, Tommy entered the house and saw Nicolette sitting patiently, and naked, at the kitchen table. She was quite stunning really. Gone was that gaunt, undernourished, waif-like girl who first arrived here. She was now replaced by this lovely, porcelain skinned beauty that would turn heads in any crowd.

 

He took some rope and a cloth blindfold from Kendall’s “toy” drawer, then moving behind her, said, “Stand up now, my little slave; hands behind your back.”

 

“Yes, My Master,” she said, and dutifully rose from her seat…but she was different. There was an air of confidence that he hadn’t seen in her before. Even the way she answered seemed to be less…slave-like.

 

He quickly bound her wrists and affixed the blindfold, then he took her elbow and led her out the front door towards the studio. He glanced at Sidney as he passed and acknowledged the approving nod. It suddenly occurred to him that…he was nervous. There had been times in the past when a session was not about arousal, notably Kristel and the bullwhip; but this was different. This was a troubled girl and Tommy knew he was way out of his depth; relying completely on the doctor’s judgement.

 

Inside the studio he led her to a position between the whipping posts, and had her stand still while he affixed a pair of ankle cuffs. He undid her wrist binding, replacing it with a second pair of leather cuffs and then, having her stand on her toes, he clipped Nicolette’s left wrist to the bungee strap. After attaching her right cuff, he adjusted the lower bungees to suit her height, then attached the ankle cuffs. She was left suspended in a tight, wide spread eagle.

 

Tommy had left the blindfold, but there would be no gag; she had to be able to speak clearly. He took a few steps back and couldn’t help but admire the vision of her milky white body glistening in the afternoon glow that beamed in through the skylights. After a moment he sighed, walked over to the rack, and selected a heavy leather flogger; one of the most vicious in his collection. He shuddered a bit as he realized that, for the first time ever, his intent was…to hurt.

 

He took up a position behind her, then reached into his shirt pocket for the paper. It was essentially a script of sorts that he and the doctor had prepared for this occasion. Tommy had read it many times, virtually memorizing all the lines. He had even acted it out a couple of times to get a feel for it. Sidney had vehemently stressed how important it was that he follow the “script”; ensuring that Nicolette’s responses were what they needed to be.

 

He was about to step forward when he realized his palms were sweating; something that hadn’t happened since he was a teenager. Tommy quickly got a towel, wiped his hands, and moved back behind her.

 

The sound of the heavy whip, striking hard against her right butt cheek, echoed through the barn. It caused her to gasp and immediately weep, but she did not cry out. He rained several more overhand blows on her rapidly reddening ass before he sternly said, “Tell me who you are.”

 

“What…? I mean…I don’t understand, My Master.”

 

He ripped a hard, horizontal lash across her entire bum, then repeated, “Tell me who you are!”

 

“I…I am your slave, My Master,” she said meekly.

 

Another horizontal blow, in the opposite direction, caused Nicolette to cry out and her weeping became loud, wet sobbing.

 

“That’s right,” he said, “and that’s all you’ll ever be isn’t it?”

 

“I…Yes…I guess, My Master…”

 

He began to lash her as she spoke, “No…! Please, My Master…I don’t understand!”

 

Tommy had to stop for a moment and wipe his hands again. He also had to wipe his face. He hated what he was doing. In a way, it was almost worse than that night with Kristel, and he was beginning to get a bit teary eyed, but he knew he had to man up. He was committed; stopping was no longer an option.

 

He moved the whip up and laid four vertical lashes to her back. Nicolette began to scream and writhe against the pain; her body glossy wet with perspiration and her face soaked with tears.

 

“You are nothing; worthless,” he shouted, “You cannot function without a Master…! Say it!”

 

It was easy to tell from her voice that she was terribly frightened and confused; fighting the demon with the whip as well as the demons in her head. He kept lashing as she spoke, “No…! OWWW…STOP…I’m not…”

 

Moving the flogger down to the backs of her legs he said, “Your grandmother tried to teach you, didn’t she? But she didn’t realize how hopeless you were, did she?”

 

Again, he kept up the whipping as she tried to respond, “She…loved me…! She was…OH GAWD…OWWWW…She was the only one…”

 

Tommy quickly moved around front and began to lash at her breasts. Literally screaming, he said, “Stop it…! You never loved her! The second she was gone you abandoned her, didn’t you?”

 

Shrieking at him while he continued to whip her, she said, “NO…! I…I just…”

 

He whipped her abdomen and thighs as he shouted, “You left her because you knew she was just a stupid, stupid old woman! It’s just as well that she’s dead!”

 

Her voice suddenly changed to one of defiance and, through the tears and pain, she shouted, “You bastard…! You can’t say that! She was the only one who cared about me! STOP THIS NOW!”

 

Tommy stopped the flogger, stepped up close, and pulled off her blindfold, “Tell me…! Tell me who you are!”

 

She was sobbing almost uncontrollably and panting, gasping for air; her chest heaving as though there wasn’t enough oxygen in the room for her starving lungs, but…for the first time since her arrival, she looked Tommy straight in the eye and said, “I…I am Nicolette…Nicolette O’Haire…! Get me down now!”

 

He unclipped her ankles and then put his arm around her waist to support her as he unhooked her wrists. She immediately began weakly pounding at his chest but he held her close and said, “Tell me one more time. Tell me who you are.”

 

“I’m Nicolette,” she said, “Nicolette O’Haire…”

 

Suddenly she stopped pounding at his chest and looked up at him. Like a cold blast of air in the face, it all came into focus; what everything had been about. She put her arms around him, buried her face in his chest, and began to sob.

 

“I miss her so much Sam,” she said, “Why did she have to die?”

 

Tommy said, “I know, Nic…We all miss her too.”

 

She leaned back and looked up at him, “She was my only real friend.”

 

“That may have been true before,” he said, “but now you have us.”

 

Nicolette continued to weep as Tommy led her to the shower. As quickly as he could, he washed her, dried her with nice warm towels, and gently applied a liberal amount of E-lotion to her numerous welts.

 

“How are you feeling now?” he asked.

 

“So much has happened, so fast,” she said, “My head is still spinning, but I think I’m going to be okay now.”

 

Finished applying the ointment, he stood and said, “I think so too Nic, but there’s no rush. Sidney is waiting for you back at the house, and he can help you put it all into perspective. You know you can stay with us as long as you want, and Sidney will help you as long as you need him.”

 

He led her back to the sitting room and pointed to her neatly folded clothes which Kendall had placed there earlier, “I’ll step outside and let you get dressed.”

 

A few minutes later, Nicolette stepped into the studio and Tommy said, “Wow! You look, well…radiant! It’s such a rare treat to see you with clothes on!”

 

For the first time since she came to the ranch, she smiled and said, “Why, thank you Mr. Darquesied.”

 

Tommy grinned, put his hands on her shoulders and said, “One more time …Tell me who you are.”

 

Still smiling, she kissed him on the cheek and said, “I am Nicolette, Sam, Nicolette O’Haire…and I have no master.”

 

With that, she turned and walked to the studio door. Just before she pulled it open, she turned and said, “I should have said that I have no full time master.  Once in a while though—”

 

He said, “Not to worry. We’ll talk about it a little later. Right now though, you should talk with Sidney.”

 

Her face was beaming, but she lowered her eyes, and said, “Yes, My Master.” Then she looked up, winked, and left the studio.

 

Tommy followed her out and watched as Sidney, who had been waiting by the studio entrance, escorted Nicolette back to Kendall’s. He suddenly felt as though a great burden had been removed from his back. She had responded almost exactly as the doctor had expected. It was clear that, with a little time, she was going to get herself back on track, and he felt an even greater sense of relief when, for the first time since he had met her, he heard her laugh at something Sidney had said.

 

Kendall met him at the door and said, “How’d it go?”

 

“Pretty much just like Sidney said it would,” he said, “I think she’s going to be okay.”

 

She said, “Should I go over, you think?”

 

“Oh yeah…I think Sidney wants you there now. And Kendall? I can’t thank you enough for all you did over the past weeks.”

 

“No worries. The pleasure was all mine,” she said, then gave him a little peck on the cheek and headed for her house.

 

Tommy walked into the living room, admired Alyssa’s gorgeous, naked form for a few seconds, then said, “Please stand now.”

 

As she rose to her feet, she said, “May I speak, Tommy?”

 

“Not just yet,” he said, “first I need you to turn around, put your arms around me, and give me the most passionate kiss you can conjure up.”

 

Ever the perfect slave, she did as instructed; wrapping herself around him and pressing her naked body hard against him. The kiss lasted well over a minute and when it finally ended, both of them were terribly aroused.

 

“You may speak now,” said Tommy.

 

She said, “Oh…well, with everything that has been going on…if you want to stop this—”

 

“Oh, no, no, no,” he said, “you’re not getting off that easy, my little slave. Now please put on a robe and come with me to the barn.”

 

“Yes, Tommy,” she said, as she went to the linen closet and grabbed a fresh, terry robe. She slipped her bare feet into a pair of flip-flops, and then, arm in arm, they strolled to the studio.

 

About fifteen minutes later, at Kendall’s, Sidney said, “I should talk to Sam and thank him for all his fine work. Do you think he’d mind if I went to the studio—”

 

“Oh, I don’t know,” said Kendall, “Let me go and check first.”

 

She excused herself and went quickly to the studio entrance; knocked, then opened the door, “Sammy? The doc wants to come and talk to you…uh…thank you for your work, or something.”

 

Tommy yelled back, “Not now Kenny. Get him to stay for supper and we can talk then. Maybe you could order some Chinese from Wing On’s. Get lots though, I think my little slave here is going to be pretty hungry.”

 

“Okay, Sammy,” she said and closed the door…very slowly. She couldn’t resist a lingering look at Alyssa, suspended in a very complicated hogtie. She chuckled as Alyssa squealed in mock protest as Tommy approached her, holding a long, beautiful pheasant feather in each hand.